Does ad spend cost extra on top of the management fee?

Yes. The management fee covers the agency's work; any money spent directly on Meta, Google, or LinkedIn ads is a separate cost that goes to the ad platform itself, not the agency.

Is a cheaper agency always a worse choice?

Not necessarily, but a very low price usually means fewer posts, no strategy behind them, or a freelancer juggling many clients. The better question is what exactly is included for the price, not just the number.

How Much Does Social Media Management Cost in Ahmedabad? (2026 Guide)

If you've started asking around, you've probably noticed the quotes vary wildly, one agency says Rs. 5,000 a month, another says Rs. 50,000, and neither explains why. Here's what actually drives that number, so you can tell a fair quote from an unfair one.

What affects the price

Posting frequency. A business posting twice a week costs less to manage than one posting daily across two platforms. More content means more design time, more writing time, and more scheduling.

Platforms covered. Managing just Instagram is cheaper than managing Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook together, since each platform needs its own content style and posting rhythm.

Design and video included or not. Some agencies only write captions and schedule posts, leaving you to supply the graphics. Others handle design and short-form video in-house, which costs more but saves you from hiring a separate designer.

Strategy vs execution-only. A service that includes a real content calendar built around your business goals costs more than one that just posts whatever you send them.

Typical monthly ranges in Ahmedabad

Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 15,000: Basic posting on one or two platforms, minimal strategy, limited design
Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 25,000: Planned content calendar, custom graphics, one to two platforms managed properly
Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 40,000+: Full management across multiple platforms, video content, strategy, and reporting

What's not included in these numbers

Ad spend is always separate. If an agency quotes you Rs. 15,000 a month "including ads," ask exactly how much of that goes toward actual ad delivery versus their fee, the two should be clearly split so you know where your money is going.

How to tell if a quote is fair

Ask exactly what's included: how many posts, which platforms, whether design and captions are covered, and whether you get a monthly report. A fair quote is specific. A vague one, "we'll handle your socials", is a warning sign regardless of the price.